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WO2018160059A1 - Container for containing a liquid and method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container - Google Patents

Container for containing a liquid and method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018160059A1
WO2018160059A1 PCT/NL2018/050095 NL2018050095W WO2018160059A1 WO 2018160059 A1 WO2018160059 A1 WO 2018160059A1 NL 2018050095 W NL2018050095 W NL 2018050095W WO 2018160059 A1 WO2018160059 A1 WO 2018160059A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
liquid
closing means
spout
cap
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2018/050095
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward Hendrik Debski
Jorn Veldhuis
Original Assignee
Bark Innovations B.V
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bark Innovations B.V filed Critical Bark Innovations B.V
Priority to EP18707987.6A priority Critical patent/EP3589579A1/en
Publication of WO2018160059A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018160059A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/32—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with means for venting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/38—Devices for discharging contents
    • B65D25/40—Nozzles or spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3404—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element
    • B65D41/3409—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
    • B65D47/2093—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure slide valve type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/005—Spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2255/00—Locking devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a container for containing a liquid.
  • the invention relates particularly to a container filled at least partially with liquid, with which liquid a second container for filling can be partially filled, and with which container the second container can in particular be filled easily and/or rapidly and/or in spillage-free and/or leakage -free manner.
  • the invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container.
  • spout-like body with a liquid outlet opening, which spout-like body is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space, and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container;
  • closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear and liquid can flow via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space
  • the closing means comprise an engagement element, which engagement element is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spoutlike body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, such that when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position
  • biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position, such that when the spoutlike body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.
  • the spout-like body provides the advantage that it can be arranged in the liquid inlet opening of the second container so that the liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body is situated in the second container when the liquid flows out of the container, whereby the chance of spillage during filling is zero, or at least small. Because the engagement element is displaced when the spout-like element is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, and the closing means are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position, the liquid flows via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space of the container as soon as the liquid outlet opening is cleared by the closing means, i.e. as soon as the closing means are in their second position.
  • the closing means move back to their first position immediately and/or automatically because of the biasing means, so that the liquid outlet opening is closed again and leaking is prevented, or the chance of leaking is at least reduced.
  • the container is in particular free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position.
  • this can be formulated as follows: the liquid outlet opening is always or at least immediately left clear in the second position of the closing means, or the closing means are freely displaceable between their first and second position.
  • This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container.
  • the spout-like body In order to be able to arrange the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening the spout-like body has an outer cross-section which is at least locally chosen to be smaller than an at least local cross-section of the liquid inlet opening of the second container. If the spout-like body has a substantially cylindrical form, the outer diameter thereof is chosen to be smaller than the cross- section, for instance the diameter, of the liquid inlet opening of the second container.
  • the spout-like body must here be arranged with a sufficient insertion depth in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, so that the engagement element is displaced over a sufficiently great distance to at least partially clear the liquid outlet opening.
  • Said determined insertion depth is thereby a minimum insertion depth for the spout-like body, at which insertion depth the closing means are displaced to their second position to an extent such that the liquid outlet opening is at least partially cleared.
  • the engagement element and, with this, the closing means are displaced in an axial, i.e. in a longitudinal, direction of the spout-like body.
  • the engagement element, and thereby the closing means are displaced in a first axial direction, which first axial direction is substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening.
  • the engagement element, and thereby the closing means are displaced in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.
  • the closing means are in particular displaced relative to the spout-like body.
  • the spout-like body and the container body can in particular take a form in which they cannot be displaced relative to each other, at least not to clear the liquid outlet opening.
  • the closing means can in particular comprise a shut-off valve.
  • the spout-like body can take a substantially hollow form over at least a part of the length thereof or a channel can extend therethrough over at least a part of the length thereof, via which cavity or channel the liquid outlet opening is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space of the container in which the liquid is contained.
  • a conduit which conduit extends both through at least a part of the receiving space and through at least a part of the spout-like body, which conduit forms a connection for medium throughflow between the receiving space of the container and an air opening of the spout-like body, which air opening can be disposed close to the liquid outlet opening.
  • Air can flow via the air opening into the receiving space during outflow of liquid out of the receiving space, which air is one of the factors causing displacement of the liquid via the conduit out of the receiving space.
  • the closing means may also be configured to close the air opening, wherein in the first position thereof the air opening is closed and in the second position thereof the air opening is (immediately) cleared.
  • the spout-like body can optionally take a substantially hollow form over at least a part of the length thereof, wherein the conduit and the spout-like body are embodied such, and the conduit extends through the hollow spout-like body such, that a liquid throughfeed space is provided between an inner wall of the spout-like body and an outer wall of the conduit.
  • This liquid throughfeed space can form a connection for medium throughflow between the receiving space of the container and a liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body. If the conduit and the cavity of the spout-like body both take a cylindrical form, the liquid throughfeed space is substantially annular.
  • the closing means can for instance comprise a hollow cylindrical body which extends round the spout-like body.
  • the liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening can here be disposed in the outer peripheral wall of the spout-like body so that the liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening, is/are closed by the closing means when the hollow cylindrical body thereof extends round the liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening.
  • a liquid outlet opening and, optionally, an air opening is understood to mean any desired number of liquid outlet openings and, optionally, air openings, for instance one, but also more than one, such as for instance two, three or four.
  • the number of liquid outlet openings can be equal to or differ from the number of air openings.
  • the engagement element can be embodied in any desired manner.
  • a number of, i.e. more than one, for instance two, three or four, engagement elements can if desired be provided.
  • the engagement element can in particular comprise a radially extending peripheral edge or flange. If the closing means comprise said hollow cylindrical body, the engagement element can extend as a flange or collar in radial direction from an outer casing of the hollow cylindrical body.
  • the peripheral edge or flange can take a continuous or interrupted form, wherein in the second case a number of engaging sub-elements together substantially form a peripheral edge or flange.
  • Sealing means can optionally be provided for the purpose of providing an at least liquid- tight seal between the closing means and the spout-like body, at least in the first position of the closing means.
  • the sealing means can for instance comprise one or more O-rings.
  • the sealing means, for instance the one or more O-rings, can if desired be arranged on the spout-like body during injection moulding thereof, for instance by injection moulding an elastomer in recesses of the spout-like body.
  • sealing means can if desired be provided at least between the air opening and the liquid outlet opening in order to seal the air opening and the liquid outlet opening at least liquid-tightly relative to each other, at least in the first position of the closing means.
  • the sealing means can for instance comprise one or more O-rings. If desired, the sealing means, for instance the one or more O-rings, can be arranged on the spout-like body during injection moulding thereof, for instance by injection moulding an elastomer in recesses of the spout-like body.
  • the biasing means form an integral part of the closing means.
  • An advantage hereof is that this limits the number of different components comprised by the container and/or provides a simple container.
  • the biasing means can here be connected to the closing means in permanent manner, or can be manufactured integrally with each other in one step during manufacture of the closing means and the biasing means.
  • the closing means and the biasing means consist of one monolithic component.
  • the closing means and the biasing means can for instance be manufactured as one monolithic component in one step by injection moulding.
  • the closing means and the biasing means can for instance be manufactured from a plastic, more particularly for instance from the same plastic.
  • the spout-like body can be manufactured from a plastic, more particularly from for instance the same plastic as the closing means and/or the biasing means.
  • the plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means and/or the spout-like body can be any suitable plastic.
  • the plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means on/or the spoutlike body is for instance chosen from the group comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), poly amide (PA), polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
  • HDPE high-density polyethylene
  • PP polypropylene
  • POM polyoxymethylene
  • PA poly amide
  • PS polystyrene
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • the biasing means can for instance comprise a spring.
  • the spring can be a tension spring or a compression spring.
  • the biasing means can more particularly comprise a compression spring which can extend between the engagement element of the closing means and a second engagement element, which second engagement element is disposed closer to the container body, relative to the liquid outlet opening.
  • the compression spring When the engagement element is displaced during insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, the compression spring is compressed between the engagement element and the second engagement element, which brings about a compressive stress on the compression spring. This causes the compression spring to automatically press back the engagement element, and thereby automatically displace the closing means back to their first position, when the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the compressive stress on the compression spring decreases again.
  • the second engagement element can be any suitable type of engagement element.
  • the second engagement element can for instance be connected to or form part of the spout-like body, the container body, or any other suitable component of the container, specifically not being the closing means.
  • the second engagement element can for instance be an edge or flange extending radially relative to the spout-like body.
  • the compression spring can in particular be clamped between two engagement elements formed by edges, wherein the compression spring more particularly can be connected to or forms an integral part of (only) the edge of the closing means.
  • the container further comprises a cap, which cap defines a receiving space for accommodating the spout-like body and the closing means therein.
  • the cap provides the advantage that it protects the spout-like body and the closing means when the container is not being used for at least partially filling the second container.
  • the cap can preferably be connected releasably to the container.
  • the cap can here be connected to any suitable other component of the container, so not being the cap, for instance to the container body or a connecting body which connects the spout-like body, optionally releasably, to the container body.
  • the other component is specifically not the closing means.
  • the cap and the other component of the container can be provided with mutually co-acting first connecting means, which first connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a free peripheral edge of the cap and on the other component of the container.
  • the first connecting means can be arranged at any desired location of the cap and the other component of the container, for instance, as stated, close to the free peripheral edge of the cap.
  • the cap and the closing means are provided with mutually co-acting second connecting means, such that the closing means are locked in their first position when the cap is connected to the closing means, which second connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a bottom end of the cap, which bottom end lies opposite a or the free peripheral edge of the cap, and close to an end of the closing means, which end is the end of the closing means disposed furthest from the container body.
  • An advantage of the second connecting means which lock the closing means in their first position when the cap is connected to the closing means and optionally the other component of the container is that the closing means are not unintentionally displaced at least partially to their second position, for instance during transport of the container.
  • the second connecting means can be arranged at any desired location of the cap and the closing means, for instance, as stated, close to the bottom end of the cap and said end of the closing means.
  • the second connecting means can be particularly advantageous for locking the closing means in their first position when the biasing means lose their biasing force, for instance due to material fatigue. Material fatigue may occur, but of course preferably does not, when the biasing means are manufactured from plastic.
  • first connecting means are optionally provided, and must not be deemed limitative. If these first connecting means are not provided, the second connecting means would be the only connecting means.
  • the mutually co-acting first connecting means and/or the mutually co-acting second connecting means can comprise mutually co-acting screw thread.
  • the cap can for instance be provided with internal screw thread, this internal screw thread extending over an inner wall of the cap.
  • the other component of the container and/or the closing means can be provided with external screw thread.
  • the container can in particular be free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and to allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position, this can in particular apply when an optionally provided cap is detached or removed.
  • This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container after the optionally provided cap has been removed or detached.
  • the container is free of coupling means for being coupled to the second container for filling.
  • This provides a simple container which can be used for any type of second container, without a coupling with the second container being formed.
  • the engagement element lying against the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening is here not seen as coupling, because the engagement element and the peripheral edge are not physically coupled but only come into contact with each other.
  • a screw connection or bayonet connection Specifically not provided is a screw connection or bayonet connection.
  • the second container can be any suitable type of container, for instance a tank or reservoir.
  • the second container can for instance form part of a vehicle, for instance though not exclusively a reservoir for an (engine) additive such as adblue, or for windshield washer fluid, or for (engine) oil.
  • the liquid can in that case be the (engine) additive, such as adblue, the windshield washer fluid, or the (engine) oil.
  • the invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from a container according to any of the claims 1-9 and/or as described above, comprising the following steps of:
  • the container can comprise any feature of the claims and/or as described above in any suitable combination.
  • the steps (a)-(c) are preferably performed successively, without other steps therebetween.
  • the container is coupled to the second container, as already elucidated above.
  • Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a container according to an embodiment of the invention in perspective, schematic view
  • Figure 2 shows a part of the container of figure 1 in a perspective exploded view
  • Figures 3A and 3B show the container of figure 1 in two different positions, wherein figure 3 A shows the position in which closing means close a liquid outlet opening and wherein figure 3B shows the position in which the closing means leave the liquid outlet opening clear.
  • FIGS 1-3 show a container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • container 1 comprises a bottle-like body or bottle 2, which bottle 2 defines in the interior thereof a receiving space 3 in which a liquid is contained.
  • Arranged on bottle 2 are three components using which a liquid contained in bottle 2 can be transferred, (almost) without leakage, into a second container for filling.
  • the first component to be arranged, on bottle 2, is a connecting element 4, which connecting element 4 is in this example screwed onto bottle 2.
  • Connecting element 4 comprises a spout-like body 5 with a number of liquid outlet openings 6 and an air opening 8.
  • liquid outlet openings 6 and air opening 8 debouch into the peripheral wall of spout-like body 5.
  • the air opening is disposed close to the free end of spout-like body 5.
  • Liquid outlet openings 6 extend over a relatively long part of the length of spout-like body 5 in an axial or longitudinal direction thereof, so that the liquid can flow relatively quickly out of the relatively large liquid outlet openings 6.
  • Air opening 8 is connected for medium throughflow to receiving space 3 via a conduit 7, such that air can flow via air opening 8 and conduit 7 into receiving space 3 of bottle 2.
  • Bottle 2 and conduit 7 are only partially shown in figure 1, although it is apparent that conduit 7 extends in receiving space 3 over at least a part of the length thereof, and preferably debouches close to the bottom of bottle 2, such that the air flowing into receiving space 3 (also) presses the liquid out of bottle 2.
  • annular space is hereby provided between the outer wall of conduit 7 and the inner wall of spout-like body 5, which annular space provides a connection for medium throughflow between receiving space 3 and liquid outlet openings 6, such that liquid from receiving space 3 can flow via the annular space and liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and can flow via a liquid inlet opening into a second container for filling (not shown).
  • Spout-like body 5 is here arranged over a part of the length thereof in the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, so that no or hardly any liquid is leaked during filling of the second container with liquid from container 1.
  • spout-like body 5 is provided in this example with three O-rings 13.
  • O-rings 13 are disposed on either side of openings 6, 8 for the purpose of providing a liquid-tight seal between spout-like body 5 and a shut-off valve 20, and between air opening 8 and liquid outlet openings 6.
  • O-rings 13 are disposed in recesses of spout-like body 5.
  • Connecting element 4 further comprises an engagement edge 9, tooth-like locking elements 10, screw thread 11 and protruding elements 12, as will be further elucidated below.
  • Connecting element 4 with the elements as described above can for instance be manufactured integrally as one component, for instance of a plastic, for instance by injection moulding.
  • the second component to be arranged, round spout-like body 5, is a shut-off valve 20 with a hollow, cylindrical body 24.
  • Shut-off valve 20 comprises an engagement flange 21 extending in radial direction of body 24.
  • Engagement flange 21 comprises on its side remote from body 24 a compression spring 22 integrally connected thereto.
  • compression spring 22 At the end of compression spring 22 lying opposite engagement flange 21 compression spring 22 comprises a ring 23, with which ring 23 compression spring 22 can lie against engagement edge 9 of connecting element 4.
  • Shut-off valve 20 is arranged round spout-like body 5 for displacement relative thereto.
  • Figure 3A shows a first position of shut-off valve 20, in which shut-off valve 20 closes liquid outlet openings 6 and air opening 8 in that body 24 extends around openings 6, 8.
  • shut-off valve 20 will be displaced to its second position while compressing compression spring 22.
  • compression spring 22 When the compressive force on compression spring 22 is released, which happens when spout-like body 5 is removed from the liquid inlet opening of the second container, compression spring 22 will expand to its normal, non-compressed position and herein displace shut-off valve 20 back to its first position as shown in figure 3 A, in a direction opposite to arrows 25.
  • Protruding elements 12 which protrude in radial direction from connecting element 4, ensure that compression spring 22, and thereby shut- off valve 20, does not rotate about spout-like body 5.
  • body 24 is provided with external screw thread 26 close to an end of body 24 remote from compression spring 22.
  • the third component is a cap 40 with a bottom surface 41 and a casing 44 extending from bottom surface 41.
  • Cap 40 serves to accommodate spout-like body 5 and shut-off valve 20 for protection thereof.
  • Cap 40 comprises internal screw thread 45 on the inner surface of casing 44 close to the free end thereof, which free end lies opposite bottom surface 41.
  • Cap 40 can be connected to connecting element 4 using the internal screw thread 45 of cap 40 and the external screw thread 11 of connecting element 4.
  • Cap 40 further comprises internal screw thread 43 close to bottom surface 41, which screw thread 43 is in this example arranged on an edge extending from bottom surface 41 to the free end of cap 40.
  • Cap 40 can be connected to shut-off valve 20 using the internal screw thread 43 of cap 40 and external screw thread 26 of shut-off valve 20.
  • the shut-off valve is hereby locked in its first position shown in figure 3A when cap 40 is connected to connecting element 4 and shut-off valve 20.
  • Shut-off valve 20 can in particular descend toward its second position when the pressure of compression spring 22 decreases, for instance due to material fatigue.
  • Cap 40 further comprises at its free end a tamper evident seal 42, which is connected to the tooth-like locking elements 10 as long as cap 40 has not been previously detached from bottle 2.
  • Locking elements 10 are here disposed such that they allow rotation of cap 40 in a tightening direction. When cap 40 is rotated in a loosening direction, seal 42 will however be pulled loose from cap 40, following which pulling loose of the seal, cap 40 can be rotated further in the loosening direction for the purpose of removing cap 40. The pulling loose of seal 42 breaks this seal. After seal 42 has been broken, it is visible that bottle 2 may have been opened.
  • Cap 40 with the elements as described above can for instance be manufactured integrally as one component, for instance of a plastic, for instance by injection moulding
  • Filling of the second container with liquid from container 1 can take place as follows.
  • cap 40 has not been previously removed, seal 42 has to be broken as described above. Then, or if cap 40 has been previously removed, cap 40 can be loosened from bottle 2 and removed therefrom. Spout-like body 5 can then be arranged in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, particularly to an insertion depth such that shut-off valve 20 is displaced from its first position shown in figure 3A to its second position shown in figure 3B during insertion of spout-like body 5 into the liquid inlet opening, as described above. As soon as shut-off valve 20 at least partially clears the liquid outlet openings 6, the liquid will flow via liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and, via the liquid inlet opening of the second container, at least partially fill the second container.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for containing a liquid, comprising: - a container body; - a spout-like body with a liquid outlet opening; - closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear, wherein the closing means comprise an engagement element which is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spout-like body is inserted into a liquid inlet opening of a second container, such that when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position, wherein biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position. The invention also relates to a method for filling a second container with liquid from such a container.

Description

CONTAINER FOR CONTAINING A LIQUID AND METHOD FOR AT LEAST PARTIALLY FILLING A SECOND CONTAINER WITH LIQUID FROM SUCH A
CONTAINER The invention relates to a container for containing a liquid. The invention relates particularly to a container filled at least partially with liquid, with which liquid a second container for filling can be partially filled, and with which container the second container can in particular be filled easily and/or rapidly and/or in spillage-free and/or leakage -free manner.
The invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container.
In an embodiment of the container for containing a liquid the container comprises:
- a container body with a receiving space for containing the liquid therein;
- a spout-like body with a liquid outlet opening, which spout-like body is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space, and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container;
- closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear and liquid can flow via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space, wherein the closing means comprise an engagement element, which engagement element is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spoutlike body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, such that when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position, wherein biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position, such that when the spoutlike body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.
The spout-like body provides the advantage that it can be arranged in the liquid inlet opening of the second container so that the liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body is situated in the second container when the liquid flows out of the container, whereby the chance of spillage during filling is zero, or at least small. Because the engagement element is displaced when the spout-like element is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, and the closing means are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position, the liquid flows via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space of the container as soon as the liquid outlet opening is cleared by the closing means, i.e. as soon as the closing means are in their second position. When the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means move back to their first position immediately and/or automatically because of the biasing means, so that the liquid outlet opening is closed again and leaking is prevented, or the chance of leaking is at least reduced.
The container is in particular free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position.
Alternatively, this can be formulated as follows: the liquid outlet opening is always or at least immediately left clear in the second position of the closing means, or the closing means are freely displaceable between their first and second position.
This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container.
In order to be able to arrange the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening the spout-like body has an outer cross-section which is at least locally chosen to be smaller than an at least local cross-section of the liquid inlet opening of the second container. If the spout-like body has a substantially cylindrical form, the outer diameter thereof is chosen to be smaller than the cross- section, for instance the diameter, of the liquid inlet opening of the second container.
It is noted that the spout-like body must here be arranged with a sufficient insertion depth in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, so that the engagement element is displaced over a sufficiently great distance to at least partially clear the liquid outlet opening. Said determined insertion depth is thereby a minimum insertion depth for the spout-like body, at which insertion depth the closing means are displaced to their second position to an extent such that the liquid outlet opening is at least partially cleared. It will here be immediately apparent to a user when the spout-like body has been arranged sufficiently far into the liquid inlet opening because the user in that case sees, hears, feels or smells the liquid flowing out of the container, or because in that case the spout-like body cannot be arranged any further into the liquid inlet opening since the engagement element then cannot be displaced any further.
It is further noted that the engagement element and, with this, the closing means are displaced in an axial, i.e. in a longitudinal, direction of the spout-like body. When the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced in a first axial direction, which first axial direction is substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening. When the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction.
The closing means are in particular displaced relative to the spout-like body. The spout-like body and the container body can in particular take a form in which they cannot be displaced relative to each other, at least not to clear the liquid outlet opening.
The closing means can in particular comprise a shut-off valve.
The spout-like body can take a substantially hollow form over at least a part of the length thereof or a channel can extend therethrough over at least a part of the length thereof, via which cavity or channel the liquid outlet opening is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space of the container in which the liquid is contained.
In another embodiment of the invention a conduit is provided, which conduit extends both through at least a part of the receiving space and through at least a part of the spout-like body, which conduit forms a connection for medium throughflow between the receiving space of the container and an air opening of the spout-like body, which air opening can be disposed close to the liquid outlet opening. Air can flow via the air opening into the receiving space during outflow of liquid out of the receiving space, which air is one of the factors causing displacement of the liquid via the conduit out of the receiving space. An advantage hereof is that, as soon as the air opening is situated in liquid, which will for instance be the case when the second container has been sufficiently filled, no more air flows to the receiving space and the outflow of liquid out of the container stops. In this way the outflow of liquid out of the container therefore stops automatically when the second container has been sufficiently filled, i.e. as soon as the air opening is situated in the liquid in the second container. In this exemplary embodiment the closing means may also be configured to close the air opening, wherein in the first position thereof the air opening is closed and in the second position thereof the air opening is (immediately) cleared.
The spout-like body can optionally take a substantially hollow form over at least a part of the length thereof, wherein the conduit and the spout-like body are embodied such, and the conduit extends through the hollow spout-like body such, that a liquid throughfeed space is provided between an inner wall of the spout-like body and an outer wall of the conduit. This liquid throughfeed space can form a connection for medium throughflow between the receiving space of the container and a liquid outlet opening of the spout-like body. If the conduit and the cavity of the spout-like body both take a cylindrical form, the liquid throughfeed space is substantially annular.
The closing means can for instance comprise a hollow cylindrical body which extends round the spout-like body. The liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening, can here be disposed in the outer peripheral wall of the spout-like body so that the liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening, is/are closed by the closing means when the hollow cylindrical body thereof extends round the liquid outlet opening, and optionally the air opening.
It is noted that a liquid outlet opening and, optionally, an air opening is understood to mean any desired number of liquid outlet openings and, optionally, air openings, for instance one, but also more than one, such as for instance two, three or four. The number of liquid outlet openings can be equal to or differ from the number of air openings.
The engagement element can be embodied in any desired manner. A number of, i.e. more than one, for instance two, three or four, engagement elements can if desired be provided.
The engagement element can in particular comprise a radially extending peripheral edge or flange. If the closing means comprise said hollow cylindrical body, the engagement element can extend as a flange or collar in radial direction from an outer casing of the hollow cylindrical body. The peripheral edge or flange can take a continuous or interrupted form, wherein in the second case a number of engaging sub-elements together substantially form a peripheral edge or flange.
Sealing means can optionally be provided for the purpose of providing an at least liquid- tight seal between the closing means and the spout-like body, at least in the first position of the closing means. The sealing means can for instance comprise one or more O-rings. The sealing means, for instance the one or more O-rings, can if desired be arranged on the spout-like body during injection moulding thereof, for instance by injection moulding an elastomer in recesses of the spout-like body.
If an air opening is provided as described above, sealing means can if desired be provided at least between the air opening and the liquid outlet opening in order to seal the air opening and the liquid outlet opening at least liquid-tightly relative to each other, at least in the first position of the closing means. The sealing means can for instance comprise one or more O-rings. If desired, the sealing means, for instance the one or more O-rings, can be arranged on the spout-like body during injection moulding thereof, for instance by injection moulding an elastomer in recesses of the spout-like body.
In another embodiment of the container according to the invention the biasing means form an integral part of the closing means.
An advantage hereof is that this limits the number of different components comprised by the container and/or provides a simple container.
The biasing means can here be connected to the closing means in permanent manner, or can be manufactured integrally with each other in one step during manufacture of the closing means and the biasing means. In other words, in this latter case the closing means and the biasing means consist of one monolithic component. The closing means and the biasing means can for instance be manufactured as one monolithic component in one step by injection moulding.
The closing means and the biasing means can for instance be manufactured from a plastic, more particularly for instance from the same plastic.
The spout-like body can be manufactured from a plastic, more particularly from for instance the same plastic as the closing means and/or the biasing means. The plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means and/or the spout-like body can be any suitable plastic. The plastic for the closing means and/or the biasing means on/or the spoutlike body is for instance chosen from the group comprising high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), poly amide (PA), polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
The biasing means can for instance comprise a spring. The spring can be a tension spring or a compression spring.
The biasing means can more particularly comprise a compression spring which can extend between the engagement element of the closing means and a second engagement element, which second engagement element is disposed closer to the container body, relative to the liquid outlet opening.
When the engagement element is displaced during insertion of the spout-like body into the liquid inlet opening of the second container, the compression spring is compressed between the engagement element and the second engagement element, which brings about a compressive stress on the compression spring. This causes the compression spring to automatically press back the engagement element, and thereby automatically displace the closing means back to their first position, when the spout-like body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the compressive stress on the compression spring decreases again.
The second engagement element can be any suitable type of engagement element. The second engagement element can for instance be connected to or form part of the spout-like body, the container body, or any other suitable component of the container, specifically not being the closing means.
The second engagement element can for instance be an edge or flange extending radially relative to the spout-like body.
The compression spring can in particular be clamped between two engagement elements formed by edges, wherein the compression spring more particularly can be connected to or forms an integral part of (only) the edge of the closing means.
In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the container further comprises a cap, which cap defines a receiving space for accommodating the spout-like body and the closing means therein.
The cap provides the advantage that it protects the spout-like body and the closing means when the container is not being used for at least partially filling the second container.
The cap can preferably be connected releasably to the container. The cap can here be connected to any suitable other component of the container, so not being the cap, for instance to the container body or a connecting body which connects the spout-like body, optionally releasably, to the container body. The other component is specifically not the closing means. In order to connect the cap to the other component of the container, the cap and the other component of the container can be provided with mutually co-acting first connecting means, which first connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a free peripheral edge of the cap and on the other component of the container.
The first connecting means can be arranged at any desired location of the cap and the other component of the container, for instance, as stated, close to the free peripheral edge of the cap.
In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the cap and the closing means are provided with mutually co-acting second connecting means, such that the closing means are locked in their first position when the cap is connected to the closing means, which second connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a bottom end of the cap, which bottom end lies opposite a or the free peripheral edge of the cap, and close to an end of the closing means, which end is the end of the closing means disposed furthest from the container body.
An advantage of the second connecting means which lock the closing means in their first position when the cap is connected to the closing means and optionally the other component of the container is that the closing means are not unintentionally displaced at least partially to their second position, for instance during transport of the container. The second connecting means can be arranged at any desired location of the cap and the closing means, for instance, as stated, close to the bottom end of the cap and said end of the closing means.
The second connecting means can be particularly advantageous for locking the closing means in their first position when the biasing means lose their biasing force, for instance due to material fatigue. Material fatigue may occur, but of course preferably does not, when the biasing means are manufactured from plastic.
It is noted that second is understood here to distinguish from the optionally provided first connecting means, and must not be deemed limitative. If these first connecting means are not provided, the second connecting means would be the only connecting means.
When both the first and the second connecting means are provided, the cap is connected
(releasably) to both the other component of the container, not being the cap or the closing means, and the closing means.
The mutually co-acting first connecting means and/or the mutually co-acting second connecting means can comprise mutually co-acting screw thread.
The cap can for instance be provided with internal screw thread, this internal screw thread extending over an inner wall of the cap. The other component of the container and/or the closing means can be provided with external screw thread.
It is noted that where it is described above that the container can in particular be free of further locking, blocking or closing means which have to be released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and to allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position, this can in particular apply when an optionally provided cap is detached or removed. This provides a container which is easy to use and with which the second container can be at least partially filled directly by arranging the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, without any other action being required by the user of the container after the optionally provided cap has been removed or detached.
In yet another embodiment of the container according to the invention the container is free of coupling means for being coupled to the second container for filling.
This provides a simple container which can be used for any type of second container, without a coupling with the second container being formed.
The engagement element lying against the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening is here not seen as coupling, because the engagement element and the peripheral edge are not physically coupled but only come into contact with each other.
Specifically not provided is a screw connection or bayonet connection.
It is possible to fill the container with, or the container can already have been filled with, any desired liquid.
The second container can be any suitable type of container, for instance a tank or reservoir.
More particularly, the second container can for instance form part of a vehicle, for instance though not exclusively a reservoir for an (engine) additive such as adblue, or for windshield washer fluid, or for (engine) oil. The liquid can in that case be the (engine) additive, such as adblue, the windshield washer fluid, or the (engine) oil.
The invention also relates to a method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from a container according to any of the claims 1-9 and/or as described above, comprising the following steps of:
(a) arranging the spout-like body of the container in a liquid inlet opening of the second container with an insertion depth determined such that during arranging of the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening to said insertion depth, the engagement element of the closing means engages on the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening and the closing means with the engagement element are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position;
(b) holding the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening at said insertion depth for a desired period of time for the purpose of filling the second container with liquid from the container and with a desired quantity of liquid; and
(c) removing the spout-like body from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.
The container can comprise any feature of the claims and/or as described above in any suitable combination. The steps (a)-(c) are preferably performed successively, without other steps therebetween.
It is for instance specifically out of the question that the container is coupled to the second container, as already elucidated above.
It is for instance specifically out of the question that further locking/blocking or closing means (not provided) are released in order to clear the liquid outlet opening and allow liquid to flow therefrom, or to allow displacement of the closing means from their first position to their second position.
It can however be the case that a cap as described above is detached or removed, although such a step is performed before step (a).
The invention will be further specified using the following figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a container according to an embodiment of the invention in perspective, schematic view;
Figure 2 shows a part of the container of figure 1 in a perspective exploded view, and
Figures 3A and 3B show the container of figure 1 in two different positions, wherein figure 3 A shows the position in which closing means close a liquid outlet opening and wherein figure 3B shows the position in which the closing means leave the liquid outlet opening clear.
Corresponding elements are designated in the figures with corresponding reference numerals.
Figures 1-3 show a container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this example container 1 comprises a bottle-like body or bottle 2, which bottle 2 defines in the interior thereof a receiving space 3 in which a liquid is contained. Arranged on bottle 2 are three components using which a liquid contained in bottle 2 can be transferred, (almost) without leakage, into a second container for filling.
The first component to be arranged, on bottle 2, is a connecting element 4, which connecting element 4 is in this example screwed onto bottle 2. Connecting element 4 comprises a spout-like body 5 with a number of liquid outlet openings 6 and an air opening 8. As is visible particularly in figure 2, liquid outlet openings 6 and air opening 8 debouch into the peripheral wall of spout-like body 5. The air opening is disposed close to the free end of spout-like body 5. Liquid outlet openings 6 extend over a relatively long part of the length of spout-like body 5 in an axial or longitudinal direction thereof, so that the liquid can flow relatively quickly out of the relatively large liquid outlet openings 6. Air opening 8 is connected for medium throughflow to receiving space 3 via a conduit 7, such that air can flow via air opening 8 and conduit 7 into receiving space 3 of bottle 2. Bottle 2 and conduit 7 are only partially shown in figure 1, although it is apparent that conduit 7 extends in receiving space 3 over at least a part of the length thereof, and preferably debouches close to the bottom of bottle 2, such that the air flowing into receiving space 3 (also) presses the liquid out of bottle 2. The spout-like body 5, which is cylindrical in this example, takes a hollow form, wherein conduit 7 has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of spout-like body 5. An annular space is hereby provided between the outer wall of conduit 7 and the inner wall of spout-like body 5, which annular space provides a connection for medium throughflow between receiving space 3 and liquid outlet openings 6, such that liquid from receiving space 3 can flow via the annular space and liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and can flow via a liquid inlet opening into a second container for filling (not shown). Spout-like body 5 is here arranged over a part of the length thereof in the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, so that no or hardly any liquid is leaked during filling of the second container with liquid from container 1. As is further visible in figure 2 in particular, spout-like body 5 is provided in this example with three O-rings 13. O-rings 13 are disposed on either side of openings 6, 8 for the purpose of providing a liquid-tight seal between spout-like body 5 and a shut-off valve 20, and between air opening 8 and liquid outlet openings 6. O-rings 13 are disposed in recesses of spout-like body 5. Connecting element 4 further comprises an engagement edge 9, tooth-like locking elements 10, screw thread 11 and protruding elements 12, as will be further elucidated below. Connecting element 4 with the elements as described above (optionally without for instance the O-rings 13) can for instance be manufactured integrally as one component, for instance of a plastic, for instance by injection moulding.
The second component to be arranged, round spout-like body 5, is a shut-off valve 20 with a hollow, cylindrical body 24. Shut-off valve 20 comprises an engagement flange 21 extending in radial direction of body 24. Engagement flange 21 comprises on its side remote from body 24 a compression spring 22 integrally connected thereto. At the end of compression spring 22 lying opposite engagement flange 21 compression spring 22 comprises a ring 23, with which ring 23 compression spring 22 can lie against engagement edge 9 of connecting element 4. Shut-off valve 20 is arranged round spout-like body 5 for displacement relative thereto. Figure 3A shows a first position of shut-off valve 20, in which shut-off valve 20 closes liquid outlet openings 6 and air opening 8 in that body 24 extends around openings 6, 8. When spout-like body 5 is arranged in a liquid inlet opening of a second container for filling, engagement flange 21 will come to lie against a peripheral edge of the second container which surrounds the liquid inlet opening. Engagement flange 21 and, with this, the body 24 of shut-off valve 20 will thereby be displaced in a direction of arrows 25, i.e. parallel to the axial, longitudinal direction of spout-like body 5, into a second position of shut-off valve 20 as shown in figure 3B. As can be seen in figure 3B, liquid outlet openings 6 and air opening 8 are left clear in the second position of shut-off valve 20. Because compression spring 22 lies with ring 23 against engagement edge 9, shut-off valve 20 will be displaced to its second position while compressing compression spring 22. When the compressive force on compression spring 22 is released, which happens when spout-like body 5 is removed from the liquid inlet opening of the second container, compression spring 22 will expand to its normal, non-compressed position and herein displace shut-off valve 20 back to its first position as shown in figure 3 A, in a direction opposite to arrows 25. Protruding elements 12, which protrude in radial direction from connecting element 4, ensure that compression spring 22, and thereby shut- off valve 20, does not rotate about spout-like body 5. As will be further elucidated below, body 24 is provided with external screw thread 26 close to an end of body 24 remote from compression spring 22. Shut-off valve 20 with the elements as described above can for instance be
manufactured integrally as one component, for instance from a plastic, for instance by injection moulding.
The third component is a cap 40 with a bottom surface 41 and a casing 44 extending from bottom surface 41. Cap 40 serves to accommodate spout-like body 5 and shut-off valve 20 for protection thereof. Cap 40 comprises internal screw thread 45 on the inner surface of casing 44 close to the free end thereof, which free end lies opposite bottom surface 41. Cap 40 can be connected to connecting element 4 using the internal screw thread 45 of cap 40 and the external screw thread 11 of connecting element 4. Cap 40 further comprises internal screw thread 43 close to bottom surface 41, which screw thread 43 is in this example arranged on an edge extending from bottom surface 41 to the free end of cap 40. Cap 40 can be connected to shut-off valve 20 using the internal screw thread 43 of cap 40 and external screw thread 26 of shut-off valve 20. The shut-off valve is hereby locked in its first position shown in figure 3A when cap 40 is connected to connecting element 4 and shut-off valve 20. Shut-off valve 20 can in particular descend toward its second position when the pressure of compression spring 22 decreases, for instance due to material fatigue. Cap 40 further comprises at its free end a tamper evident seal 42, which is connected to the tooth-like locking elements 10 as long as cap 40 has not been previously detached from bottle 2. Locking elements 10 are here disposed such that they allow rotation of cap 40 in a tightening direction. When cap 40 is rotated in a loosening direction, seal 42 will however be pulled loose from cap 40, following which pulling loose of the seal, cap 40 can be rotated further in the loosening direction for the purpose of removing cap 40. The pulling loose of seal 42 breaks this seal. After seal 42 has been broken, it is visible that bottle 2 may have been opened. Cap 40 with the elements as described above can for instance be manufactured integrally as one component, for instance of a plastic, for instance by injection moulding.
Filling of the second container with liquid from container 1 can take place as follows.
First, if cap 40 has not been previously removed, seal 42 has to be broken as described above. Then, or if cap 40 has been previously removed, cap 40 can be loosened from bottle 2 and removed therefrom. Spout-like body 5 can then be arranged in the liquid inlet opening of the second container, particularly to an insertion depth such that shut-off valve 20 is displaced from its first position shown in figure 3A to its second position shown in figure 3B during insertion of spout-like body 5 into the liquid inlet opening, as described above. As soon as shut-off valve 20 at least partially clears the liquid outlet openings 6, the liquid will flow via liquid outlet openings 6 out of container 1 and, via the liquid inlet opening of the second container, at least partially fill the second container. No further action is here required by the user, which provides a container which is easy to use. The outflow of the liquid out of container 1 takes place either until container 1 is empty, or until air opening 8 is immersed in liquid in the second container, or until the user removes spoutlike body 5 from the liquid inlet opening of the second container and shut-off valve 20 closes automatically as described above.
It is noted that the invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to variants within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims
1. Container for containing a liquid, which container comprises:
- a container body with a receiving space for containing the liquid therein;
- a spout-like body with a liquid outlet opening, which spout-like body is connected for medium throughflow to the receiving space, and which spout-like body is configured to be arranged with a determined insertion depth in a liquid inlet opening of a second container to be filled at least partially with liquid from the container;
- closing means for closing the liquid outlet opening, which closing means are displaceable between a first position in which the liquid outlet opening is closed and a second position in which the liquid outlet opening is left clear and liquid can flow via the liquid outlet opening out of the receiving space, wherein the closing means comprise an engagement element, which engagement element is configured to engage on a peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening when the spoutlike body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening of the second container for filling, such that when the spout-like body is inserted into the liquid inlet opening, the engagement element, and thereby the closing means, are displaced from their first position to the second position, wherein biasing means are provided to bias the closing means toward their first position, such that when the spoutlike body is removed from the liquid inlet opening, the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.
2. Container according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing means form an integral part of the closing means.
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closing means and the biasing means are manufactured from a plastic.
4. Container according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the biasing means comprise a compression spring extending between the engagement element of the closing means and a second engagement element, which second engagement element is disposed closer to the container body, relative to the liquid outlet opening.
5. Container according to any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a cap, which cap defines a receiving space for accommodating the spout-like body and the closing means therein.
6. Container according to claim 5, wherein the cap and another component of the container are provided with mutually co-acting first connecting means, which first connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a free peripheral edge of the cap and on the other component of the container.
7. Container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cap and the closing means are provided with mutually co-acting second connecting means, such that the closing means are locked in their first position when the cap is connected to the closing means, which second connecting means are for instance arranged respectively close to a bottom end of the cap, which bottom end lies opposite a or the free peripheral edge of the cap, and close to an end of the closing means, which end is the end of the closing means disposed furthest from the container body.
8. Container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the mutually co-acting first connecting means and/or the mutually co-acting second connecting means comprise mutually co-acting screw thread.
9. Container according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the container is free of coupling means for being coupled to the second container for filling.
10. Method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from a container according to any of the claims 1-9, comprising the following steps of:
(a) arranging the spout-like body of the container in a liquid inlet opening of the second container with an insertion depth determined such that during arranging of the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening to the stated insertion depth, the engagement element of the closing means engages on the peripheral edge of the liquid inlet opening and the closing means with the engagement element are thereby displaced from their first position to their second position;
(b) holding the spout-like body in the liquid inlet opening at the stated insertion depth for a desired period of time for the purpose of filling the second container with liquid from the container and with a desired quantity of liquid; and
(c) removing the spout-like body from the liquid inlet opening, wherein the closing means are displaced back to their first position by the biasing means.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the steps (a)-(c) are performed successively, without other steps therebetween.
PCT/NL2018/050095 2017-03-03 2018-02-12 Container for containing a liquid and method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container WO2018160059A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP18707987.6A EP3589579A1 (en) 2017-03-03 2018-02-12 Container for containing a liquid and method for at least partially filling a second container with liquid from such a container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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NL2018467A NL2018467B1 (en) 2017-03-03 2017-03-03 A LIQUID FOR HOLDING A LIQUID AND A METHOD FOR ALTHANSALLY FILLING A SECOND LIQUID WITH LIQUID FROM SUCH A HOLDER
NL2018467 2017-03-03

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EP2361692A1 (en) * 2010-02-18 2011-08-31 Starborn Industries Inc. Nozzle assembly
FR2978753A1 (en) * 2011-08-05 2013-02-08 Techniplast Device for filling glass bottle with perfume, has sleeve whose lower part is laterally sealed against air, where opening is formed at end of lower part to allow outflow of liquid and inflow of air
DE202013103516U1 (en) * 2013-08-05 2014-11-06 Ralf Kämpf Connection assembly for connecting an output container to a target container
EP2957539A1 (en) * 2014-06-20 2015-12-23 Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG Tank filling system

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EP3589579A1 (en) 2020-01-08

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